definitely not a social retard!

i tend to RSVP early for most things (just so i dont' forget) - having said that, there are some things i have left til the last minute to RSVP. and, as much as you hate the idea of Maybe as a response, i've done it! my cousins DD was having her first birthday, i had surgery coming up "sometime in the next couple of months" so i had to RSVP as a maybe. when it came to the week of the party, i'd had the surgery and simply wasn't up to making the trip to Melbourne, so i had to say no at the last minute. I sent DD with her Granma though.

those sort of circs are pretty rare though (or i'd hope they are!)

i think 10am is a great time - actually, i don't think any time is really "bad" (unless it's late at night or 8am or something!) - we always have DD's "events" (for want of a better word) in the mid afternoon to allow for those travelling (some family have a 2 hour trip, god parents and other family travel up to five hours) and because she has a nap at lunch time so is bright and fresh mid arvo. you have to schedule what works for your family - if that is the time that is most appropriate for you and yours, that's the time you schedule it. if people can make it, they will